Enugu begins construction of Int’l motor spare parts market

The Enugu State Government says it has begun the construction of a new International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Market at 9th Mile, near Enugu, on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

 

The Managing Director, Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, disclosed this during a meeting with the leadership of the Enugu Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Association, Coal Camp, Enugu on Monday.

 

Ogbu-Nwobodo said the market was in fulfilment of Gov. Peter Mbah’s electoral promise to build a world-class market for the association.

 

He described the condition of the traders at Coal Camp as pathetic and prone to environmental hazards, adding that no business could thrive in such an unconducive environment.

 

During the last campaign period, they asked the State Government to provide them with a more conducive environment that could accommodate all of them.

 

“Today, as we speak, work has commenced on the site.

 

“The governor is fulfilling the promise he made to the traders, and he is relentless in making sure that their businesses grow,” Ogbu-Nwobodo said.

 

Speaking on the key facilities expected in the new market, he said: “It is going to be an ecosystem that supports modern businesses, commercial and light industrial activities.

 

“There will be facilities, like modern shops and warehouses, police posts, fire protection architecture, conveniences, banks, parks, schools, health facilities, union centre, recreational facilities and other things that will enable business growth”.

 

Ogbu-Nwobodo said that the choice of 9th Mile was strategic, describing the place as a major business hub in the state.

 

He also said that siting the market at the place would give more impetus for further development around the area.

 

He argued that the market would also provide easy access to traders from the North, Ebonyi and Cross River, Central Africa and other areas.

 

According to him, the development will help to save dealers the stress of navigating through the city before offloading or exporting their goods.

 

Reacting, the President of the association, Chief Mike Nomeh, said that previous administrations in the state did not treat the welfare of traders at Coal Camp with the priority it deserved.

 

Nomeh said that the relocation of the market was long due, pointing out that they had written severally to past administrations to look into their welfare to no avail.

 

He, however, appealed to the governor to ensure the speedy delivery of the market, saying that their present location at Coal Camp called for sympathy.

 

A Line Chairman at the market, Mr Benjamin Eze, lauded the governor for the initiative.

 

Eze said he had spent over 30 years at Coal Camp and had been yearning for adequate accommodation for all the traders, adding that what was happening seemed like a dream to him.

 

“I know that the governor is capacity-filled.

 

“I urge him to keep up with this pace because it will benefit all of us,” Eze said.

 

 

Scammers hack Osun governor’s phone number

 

One of the phone numbers linked to the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has been compromised.

 

The governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

 

Rasheed urged the public to disregard any communications originating from the number, +234 803 365 7555.

 

He said, “Please disregard any solicitation from +234 803 365 7555. Appropriate action is ongoing to remedy the situation.

 

“Authorities are currently investigating the breach and are working diligently to secure the governor’s communication lines.

 

“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.”

 

 

Ogun workers threaten strike over N40bn pension

 

The organised labour unions in Ogun State on Tuesday threatened industrial action over the failure of the government to remit over N40bn contributory pensions deducted from the workers’ salaries in the last 15 years.

 

The unions which include the Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Labour Congress and Joint Negotiation Council disclosed this in a letter written to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

 

The letter, a copy of which was sent to our correspondent, was signed by the Chairman TUC, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, his NLC counterpart, Hammed Benco-Ademola and JNC Chairman, Isa Olude.

 

The labour unions said that despite setting up a committee on this contentious issue in October 2022, the state government has refused to make the report of this committee public.

They claimed that they were forced to write the letter to the governor because less than a year to July 1, 2025, which is the effective date for the Contributory Pension Scheme according to the 2013 State Pension Reform Law amended in 2008, there is nothing on grounds to justify the sincerity of the government towards implementation of this pension scheme.

 

The labour unions said, “We are talking of over N40billion unremitted deductions. The government altogether owed over 160 months.

 

“Former Gov Gbenga Daniel owed 25 months before he left office. Ex-Gov Amosun paid just only 9 months out of his eight-year tenure while Gov. Abiodun has not paid a dime since he came to office in 2019”.

 

The unions said the government has refused to remit to Pension Fund Administrators the sum of 7.5% contributory pensions deducted monthly from the salary of each worker for over 15 years.

 

They added that the government has equally failed to pay its counterpart contribution of 7.5% of each worker’s salary making a total of 15% to the PFA.

 

The workers said that they cannot pretend that all is well when their fate is hanging in the balance with no hope of having their welfare taken care of in retirement with the way the government has handled their pension fund over the years.

 

The letter partly read, “Having thoroughly and objectively assessed the entire Contributory Pension Scheme routes from its legislation, implementation vis-a-vis its current position, one cannot but hold the conclusion that we are fully set for industrial unrest in the State Civil/Public Service.

 

“To the best of our knowledge, the State has maintained its unencouraging showing on the scheme with a rather disturbing trend that nothing has changed.

 

“Up until now, the Report of the much-publicised Committee on it set up back in October 2022 has not been made public.

 

Your Excellency will agree with us, that, as the 1st July 2025 draws nigh, which is the effective date for the Contributory Pension Scheme [Ogun State Pension Reform Law, 2008 (amended 2013)], so also is the justification for the apprehension on the true stand of the State Government on its genuine interest and commitment to the welfare of her workforce, post-retirement.

 

Fact is that the Scheme has not fared better in the State and our worries that the humongous unremitted deductions in the last fourteen years plus, no doubts, poses obviously, as that daunting debt that even a welfarist State would have some measure of restraints in an attempt to offset it.”

 

It added, “Interestingly, our membership of the committee on the Contributory Pension Scheme availed us the available true statistics of the scheme.

 

“At best, it could well be rested or be shifted to a much later date when finances of the State could accommodate its financial demands.

 

“For now, Your Excellency, the entire Ogun State Civil/Public Service employees are eager to learn about their fate before 1st July 2025.

 

Immediate release of the Report of the Committee on the Contributory Pension Scheme and the release of the State Government White Paper on it would assist in dousing the tension which, unfortunately, is compounded by the grinding economic pains ravaging our homes”.